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hearsay

noun

Meaning

  • Information that was heard by one person about another that cannot be adequately substantiated.

  • Evidence based on the reports of others, which is normally inadmissible because it was not made under oath, rather than on personal knowledge.

  • An out-of-court statement offered in court for the truth of the matter asserted, which is normally inadmissible because it is not subject to cross-examination unless the hearsay statement falls under one of a number of exceptions.

Synonyms

common talk,
gossip,
report,
rumor